The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, recently recognized Gadsden Regional Medical Center with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Achievement of Primary Stroke Center Certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Gadsden Regional’s Primary Stroke Center Certification has demonstrated that the program meets critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.
“Acquiring the Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers confirms that our staff and physicians provide excellent, evidence-based practice standards for patients experiencing a stroke,” GRMC Chief Nursing Officer Donna Nicholson said.
“One of our goals is to provide education to the community and region regarding early recognition of stroke symptoms so that individuals will call 911 to get to the Gadsden Regional Emergency Department for immediate interventions to improve patient outcomes.“We are fortunate to have excellent clinicians who have a passion to provide the best care for our patients.”
Gadsden Regional underwent a rigorous on-site review in late July. A Joint Commission expert reviewed GRMC’s compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.
“The efforts of the GRMC Stroke Team, hospital staff and medical staff in preparing for the on-site review were exceptional,” said Lisa Henderson, chief quality officer at Gadsden Regional.
Henderson gave kudos to local emergency medical service providers for their help in the hospital’s latest achievement.
“We collaborated with the EMS providers in our community, and we appreciate their partnership in participating in the review process and for being part of providing evidence- based stroke care to our community,” Henderson said.
Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.
“Gadsden Regional is thoroughly committed to providing patients in Etowah County and the surrounding areas with high quality care,” Stephen Pennington, chief executive officer at Gadsden Regional said.
“Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and help us improve care overall for our community.”